December is upon us and gift giving may be on your mind! If your list includes a gardener or two, we are here to provide gift suggestions for every budget.
It starts with seeds
Seeds are wonderful gift for both experienced and novice gardeners. For a personal touch, give treasured vegetable or flower seeds that you’ve saved from your own garden. Or, check out the options available from local organic seed producers such as Kitchen Table Seed House. Specialty seed sellers often have large selections of herbs and open-pollinated varieties, including heirlooms and bulbs. Perhaps add an attractive airtight container so that they can be stored in a cool dry place awaiting planting in spring!
Maybe your gardener would like chase away those dark winter days by starting seeds indoors. What about re-usable seed trays, a set of grow lights, potting soil, or plant markers? Quality permanent markers will help keep track of what, where, and when something was planted. A soil-blocking mold might be another unique gift for the seed starter.
Most gardeners would also be happy with a gift certificate for lovely native plants or a fruit tree or shrub, along with an offer to help with the planting when spring rolls around.
Quality tools make a difference
There are plenty of options for tools both large and small. Choose the best quality you can afford as these, if well cared for, can last a lifetime. Add a diamond pocket sharpener to keep those blades and edges in good condition.
Small hand tools make excellent gifts:
- secateurs. My favourite is the Felco brand precision hand pruners with versions designed for both right and left hands and sizes for small, medium or large hands.
- hori-hori knife. This versatile tool, originating from Japan, has a serrated edge used for digging, cutting, weeding and planting.
- trowel. Choose a sturdy rust-resistant one with a comfortable grip and no breakable plastic parts. Trowels are available with scoops of various shapes–the style is a matter of personal preference.
- dibbler. A dibbler (or dibble) is a handy little gadget for planting seeds, particularly useful in hard or heavy soils.
Larger spades, hoes and garden forks are useful and come in an array or different sizes, weights and functions. Try the Radius brand shovel (the “root slayer”) which is great for digging out roots and creating planting holes for trees/shrubs/perennials in heavy clay or dry soil. This shovel makes a perfect hole for a gallon-size pot.
More handy garden gadgets
A shiny new watering can (or mister) is a useful item for indoor house plant aficionados and for outdoor containers or smaller spaces. If you want something unique, search antique markets for a vintage one.
A wire harvest basket or trug is ideal for collecting the vegetable crop or cut flowers. Dress up window ledges with new wooden window boxes or seek out unusual planters for the patio. For that extra touch, pack a basket with twine, row cover fabric (the seven-foot width will cover mature crops), a rain gauge, a thermometer designed for monitoring the home compost pile, or a blank journal for recording the rhythm of the gardening year.
Gardening attire
The fashionable gardener is properly attired for the job from head to toe! Starting with those toes, I like clogs that can be slipped on and off easily as I move between house and garden. For heavier work I prefer sturdy boots that protect my feet from a misdirected spade blade.
A cloth or straw sunhat, a work shirt with SPF protection, and gloves in supple leather complete the “look”.
To complete the ensemble–and avoid those annoying searches for mislaid hand tools–give a garden apron or tool belt with plenty of pockets for everything from trowels and secateurs to seeds and gloves.
Garden art
A visit to a friend’s garden revealed an unexpected twist when I saw the art scattered throughout the space. No, not garden gnomes! In among the flowers were graceful wrought-iron obelisks, colourful glass ornaments hanging from tree branches, and a stone sculpture crafted by local artist.
An attractive garden bench or wicker chair would be a perfect way to sit back and enjoy the beauty of the space at the end of the day.
For the bookworm
Our resources page has a short list of book titles sure to please the gardener on your list. Consider where their interests lie and whether your gardener is a novice or not. Perhaps they are keen on re-wilding with native plants, adopting organic gardening practices, or growing ornamentals, vegetables or fruit trees. New titles come out every year, so browse the shelves at your local bookstore for more great choices.